81 airports now back to normal operations after Nona – CAAP

MANILA, Philippines — The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said on Wednesday that 81 of the 82 airports under its management control across the country have gone “back to normal operations” despite “Nona.”

Danilo Abareta, CAAP Operation and Rescue Coordination Center Area VIII manager, said the Catarman airport was an exception as a terminal there was not used “for commercial operations” because of a collapsed ceiling.

He added, however, that the Catarman runway has become “usable” again and the flight service station has resumed operation even as the power and communication lines have not been restored.

“The airport is operating only on back-up power generator sets,” he said.

He said among the 81 that were “back to normal operations” were Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban, and the airports in Ormoc, Calbayog, Catbalogan, Borongan, Biliran, Guiuan, Hilongos, and Maasin in Leyte, which sustained “only minor damage.”

Cynthia Tumanut, CAAP-ORCC Area V manager, said the airports in Legaspi, Naga, Masbate, Virac, Sorsogon, Bulan and Daet have resumed normal operations.

The airports in San Jose, Mamburao, Romblon, Lubang, and Calapan in Mindoro also reportedly sustained “only minimal damage.”

“All flight operations are now back to normal (there),” she said.  SFM